The local effort to link downtown Kirksville and Thousand Hills State Park received another positive jolt Wednesday with a corporate donation from Hy-Vee.

Members of the Forest Lake Area Trail System group and Hy-Vee store personnel were on hand for the exchange of a $1,000 check.

“[FLATS] is great for the community, just one more attraction for Kirksville,” said store manager Jeff Suchomel. “Our mission statement is to make people’s lives easier, healthier and happier. When you’re healthier, you’re happier. It’s just a good thing.”

FLATS has raised more than $250,000 in grants and donations, with all materials purchased for Phase I of the project, which would construct a trail and bridge from the dining lodge to petroglyph site, as well as Campground II at Thousand Hills State Park.

Dan Martin said recent contact with the state’s trail planner and trail architect provided information that FLATS can expect workers “at anytime” to construct the bridge.

The steel and wood is already on site, just awaiting Missouri Department of Natural Resources workers.

Money raised so far is more than enough to complete Phase I. The second phase would construct a concrete trail to Campground I, with the third phase to build a trail connecting the system with downtown Kirksville.